What should UC be?

Stand up for undocumented students

Next month, Mark Yudof will take over as president of the massive university system. Here's a preview of what's going into his suggestion box.

May 27, 2008|Matias Ramos | Matias Ramos, a political science student at UCLA, is a contributor to the book "Underground Undergrads: UCLA Undocumented Immigrant Students Speak Out."

During the last four years, UC students have endured two rounds of budget crises, fee increases and a scandal over little-known, lucrative UC executive compensation deals.

But one issue that flies under the radar and affects the relationship between the university and our vast immigrant population is the ongoing controversy over equal access for undocumented immigrant students. Caught in the middle of a nationally polarized debate on immigration, a growing number of highly capable students are being left out of the UC's equation because of the inability of Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform.

President Yudof needs to take the lead in ensuring that thousands of undocumented students become eligible for financial aid funds to which their tuition fees already contribute. It is not an easy task, but it is one that would demonstrate his leadership and vision.